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Corona cowboy wins again at rodeo finals

From reports

Posted:
12/18/2012 05:13:15 PM MST

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Two-time and defending world champion saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy of Corona, N.M., scored 84 points on a bucking horse appropriately named Awesome to win the ninth round of the 10-day, $6 million Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Muncy made his ride in front of 17,672 fans in Las Vegas Friday night. It was his third win of the week. The 25-year-old Oklahoma Panhandle State University alumnus, competing for the fifth time at the rodeo finals Super Bowl, earned $18,257 on Friday night to bring his NFR earnings total to $56,686.

Only the top 15 contestants in each of seven events qualify for the annual Wrangler NFR, which kicked off in UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center on Dec. 6 and wraps up Dec. 15.

"I haven't been real consistent this week," said Muncy. "Toward the end of the rodeo, there's still a lot of money available. You're at the NFR and you have to give it your all until the last ride."

Muncy entered the NFR in fourth place in the world championship standings.

However, three buck-offs destroyed his chance at a third gold buckle. Still, one more round remains that pays the winner nearly $20,000.

"I'm going to get an early start on next season, and hopefully I'll be back in Vegas next year and competing for another gold buckle," he said.